8/I. 04.

Dear Mamma!

I forgot to reply to Manyasha regarding the 150 rubles she was asking about. Let them remain with you for now (just in case). I will only ask you to buy me some books from that money. I wrote to you about the Russian-French dictionary. I will add Sechenov's *Elements of Thought* (a recently published book).

The other day Nadezhda, I, and one acquaintance* undertook a splendid excursion here to Salève. Down below in Geneva there is fog everywhere, gloom, but on the mountain (about 1200 meters above sea level) — luxurious sunshine, snow, sledges, quite a good Russian winter day. And below the mountain — *la mer du brouillard*, a veritable sea of fog, clouds, behind which nothing is visible, only mountains stick out, and even then only the very highest ones. Even little Salève (900 meters) is entirely engulfed in fog.

This is how we are beginning to acquaint ourselves with Switzerland and its views. In the spring we are planning a large hiking excursion.

I embrace you warmly, my dear one. How is your health? How are you getting on?

*in the journal*

* F. V. Lengnik. Editor's note.

Sent from Geneva to Kiev

First published in 1929

*Proletarskaya Revolutsiya* No. 11

Printed from the manuscript